AMD 2004 Annual Report Download - page 12

Table of Contents
Our Spansion Flash memory products implement different features and interfaces to address different customer requirements. These different features and
interfaces may be supported on both floating gate and MirrorBit technology. For example, we provide products that support faster burst- and page-mode read
interfaces. Burst-mode products allow fast access to data in a continuous sequential operation, while page-mode products allow fast random access to data within
a page. The wireless market in particular currently demands such solutions. In addition, Spansion products may also include features such as Advanced Sector
Protection, which improves security by protecting Flash memory content against inadvertent or deliberate changes to code or data, and simultaneous read/write,
which improves system performance by allowing a device to conduct read, write or erase operations simultaneously.
Packaging is an integral element of our Spansion Flash memory products. We offer a range of packaging options, from single-die configurations and
multi-chip products (MCPs) to package-less solutions, such as Known Good Die. Our packaging includes lead-frame and ball grid array or BGA, which describe
the mechanical connection between the package and the printed circuit board. Our packages in the embedded markets mostly use lead-frame solutions while our
packages for the wireless markets almost exclusively use BGA solutions due to the small physical size or form factor enabled by BGA. A significant percentage
of our products are shipped as MCPs due to increasing demand for smaller mobile phones. Mobile phone manufacturers are especially interested in MCPs due to
the single, space-saving package, low power consumption, and high performance. Our MCP products incorporate Spansion Flash memory devices and third-party
non-Flash memory die, such as static RAM, or SRAM, or pseudo-static RAM, or pSRAM devices, which we purchase from outside vendors.
The Embedded Processor Market
In addition to our primary microprocessor and Flash memory markets, we also offer embedded microprocessors for personal connectivity devices and
specific consumer markets. Personal connectivity devices can be classified into five main segments: computer devices such as thin clients; smart handheld
devices and PDAs; access devices such as gateways and access points; entertainment devices such as media players and digital TVs; and automotive devices such
as in-car navigation systems, telematics and media playback. The applications in these devices typically require highly integrated systems-on-chip, or SoCs, that
include high-performance, low-power embedded processors and microcontrollers.
Personal Connectivity Solutions
We offer low-power, high-performance embedded microprocessor products for personal connectivity devices. Our products include low-power x86 and
MIPS® architecture-based embedded processors. We design these embedded processors to address customer needs in non-PC markets where Internet
connectivity and/or low power processing is a priority. Typically these embedded processors are used in products that require high to moderate levels of
performance where key features include reduced cost, mobility, low power and small form factor. Products that use our embedded processors are targeted for
specific market segments using SoC design techniques.
Our embedded microprocessor products consist of the AMD Geode™ family and the AMD Alchemy ™ family of products. AMD Geode microprocessors
are based on the x86 architecture and are optimized for high performance and low power. The Geode technology integrates complex functionality, such as
processing, system logic, graphics, and audio and video decompression onto one integrated device. We target our AMD Geode processors at each of the five
market segments referenced above. With the AMD Geode family of microprocessors, we are able to extend the range of our x86-based product offerings to serve
markets from embedded appliances to high-end servers.
We developed our AMD Alchemy embedded processors for portable media players, Internet access points, and gateways in which low power consumption
is a key factor. All of these products have an architecture that provides a 32-bit MIPS instruction set. They support operating systems such as Microsoft
Windows, CE.NET, Linux, VxWorks, and other operating systems.
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Source: ADVANCED MICRO DEVIC, 10-K, March 01, 2005